The difference between Contingent and Incidental

When used as nouns, contingent means an event which may or may not happen, whereas incidental means minor items, not further defined. incidental expense.

When used as adjectives, contingent means possible or liable, but not certain to occur, whereas incidental means loosely associated.

check bellow for the other definitions of Contingent and Incidental

  1. Contingent as a noun:

    An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency.

  2. Contingent as a noun:

    That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion.

  3. Contingent as a noun (military):

    A quota of troops.

  1. Contingent as an adjective:

    Possible or liable, but not certain to occur; incidental; casual.

  2. Contingent as an adjective:

    (with upon or on) Dependent on something that is undetermined or unknown.

    Examples:

    "The success of his undertaking is contingent upon events which he cannot control."

  3. Contingent as an adjective:

    Dependent on something that may or may not occur.

    Examples:

    "a contingent estate"

  4. Contingent as an adjective:

    Not logically necessarily true or false.

  5. Contingent as an adjective:

    Temporary

    Examples:

    "contingent labor, contingent worker"

  1. Incidental as an adjective:

    Loosely associated; existing as a byproduct, tangent, or accident; being a likely consequence.

    Examples:

    "That character, though colorful, is incidental to the overall plot."

  2. Incidental as an adjective:

    Occurring by chance

  3. Incidental as an adjective (physics, of radiation):

    Entering or approaching, prior to reflection (more frequently incident).

  1. Incidental as a noun:

    Minor items, not further defined. Incidental expense.

    Examples:

    "She's costing us a lot in incidentals."

  2. Incidental as a noun:

    Something that is incidental.

Compare words:

Compare with synonyms and related words: